Sea Power and MaritimeSea Power and Maritime Affairs Affairs

Lesson 5.4: The Civil War, 1860-1865Lesson 5.4: The Civil War, 1860-1865

Two American NaviesTwo American Navies

Enabling ObjectivesEnabling Objectives

• IDENTIFY the origins of the U.S. Civil War.IDENTIFY the origins of the U.S. Civil War.• DESCRIBE the role of the Union Navy in the DESCRIBE the role of the Union Navy in the

strategy for the defeat of the Confederacy.strategy for the defeat of the Confederacy.• DESCRIBE the role of the Confederate Navy in DESCRIBE the role of the Confederate Navy in

the strategy for the defeat of the Union.the strategy for the defeat of the Union.• UNDERSTAND reasons for the vital importance of UNDERSTAND reasons for the vital importance of

the acquisition of European allies in the South’s the acquisition of European allies in the South’s naval strategy.naval strategy.

• UNDERSTAND innovations of naval weapons and UNDERSTAND innovations of naval weapons and technology that emerged during the Civil War.technology that emerged during the Civil War.

A House DividedA House Divided

• Dispute between slave and free Dispute between slave and free states over status of western states over status of western territories.territories.– Missouri Compromise - 1820.Missouri Compromise - 1820.

– Kansas-Nebraska Act - 1854.Kansas-Nebraska Act - 1854.

• The problem of state’s rights vs The problem of state’s rights vs federal government authorityfederal government authority

A House DividedA House Divided• Southern states secede after Southern states secede after

Lincoln elected in 1860Lincoln elected in 1860• Confederate States of America Confederate States of America

established Feb 1861established Feb 1861• Fort Sumter, Charleston, South Fort Sumter, Charleston, South

Carolina:Carolina:– Attacked by Confederate Attacked by Confederate

forces on April 12, 1861.forces on April 12, 1861.– 15 Apr: Lincoln calls 75K state 15 Apr: Lincoln calls 75K state

militia to Federal service…militia to Federal service…

Fort SumterFort SumterCharleston, South CarolinaCharleston, South Carolina

Confederate States of America Confederate States of America (CSA) est. February 1861(CSA) est. February 1861

Federal Territory Within the Federal Territory Within the Confederacy in QuestionConfederacy in Question

The CSA claimed eminent domain:The CSA claimed eminent domain:• Pensacola Navy Yard.Pensacola Navy Yard.• 15 forts guarding harbors.15 forts guarding harbors.• 6 Federal arsenals.6 Federal arsenals.• 18 military posts in Texas.18 military posts in Texas.After Virginia joined the Confederacy:After Virginia joined the Confederacy:• Norfolk Navy Yard.Norfolk Navy Yard.

– Largest naval base and arsenal in the United States.Largest naval base and arsenal in the United States.

– Captured by Confederate forces on 21 April.Captured by Confederate forces on 21 April.

– USSUSS Merrimack Merrimack scuttled by retreating Union forces. scuttled by retreating Union forces.

– Large number of guns captured by Confederates.Large number of guns captured by Confederates.

A Navy DividedA Navy Divided

David Glasgow FarragutDavid Glasgow FarragutDavid Dixon PorterDavid Dixon PorterJohn EriccsonJohn EriccsonJohn DahlgrenJohn DahlgrenCharles WilkesCharles WilkesSamuel F. DuPontSamuel F. DuPont

Franklin BuchananFranklin Buchanan

Matthew MauryMatthew Maury

Raphael SemmesRaphael Semmes

Balance of Naval PowerBalance of Naval Power

NorthNorth SouthSouth

– Naval YardsNaval Yards

– Ship Builders Ship Builders

– Industrial BaseIndustrial Base

– Number of ShipsNumber of Ships

– LeadershipLeadership

Union SECNAV Gideon WellesUnion SECNAV Gideon Welles

Union Naval StrategyUnion Naval Strategy

• Rapid and massive ship building Rapid and massive ship building program.program.– Only 42 ships at the beginning of the Only 42 ships at the beginning of the

war.war.– 264 commissioned by December, 1861264 commissioned by December, 1861

• General Winfield Scott’s “Anaconda General Winfield Scott’s “Anaconda Plan”Plan”– Blockade the entire Confederate CoastBlockade the entire Confederate Coast– Control the Mississippi River.Control the Mississippi River.

– Sever vital lines of communication for Sever vital lines of communication for Confederacy.Confederacy.

Confederate Naval StrategyConfederate Naval Strategy• Attrition WarfareAttrition Warfare

– Confederacy issues letters of Confederacy issues letters of marque to privateers.marque to privateers.

– Attempt to continue commercial Attempt to continue commercial trade with Europetrade with Europe

• New technologyNew technology– Conversion of older ships to Conversion of older ships to

armored “ironclads”.armored “ironclads”.– Coordinates construction of Coordinates construction of

warships in Great Britain.warships in Great Britain.– CSS HunleyCSS Hunley

• Blockade-runningBlockade-running– Successful cruises divert Union Successful cruises divert Union

ships from blockade duty.ships from blockade duty.Confederate Confederate

SECNAV Stephen SECNAV Stephen MalloryMallory

Diplomatic StrategiesDiplomatic Strategies• NORTH: Keep Great Britain truly neutralNORTH: Keep Great Britain truly neutral• SOUTH: Win British recognition and naval aid.SOUTH: Win British recognition and naval aid.

– Problems for the Confederacy:Problems for the Confederacy:• War is viewed as a rebellion - not a conflict between War is viewed as a rebellion - not a conflict between

sovereign states.sovereign states.• Outcome of the war is uncertain.Outcome of the war is uncertain.• Diplomatic inexperience and a weak State Diplomatic inexperience and a weak State

Department.Department.• Fallacy of the "King Cotton" thesis. Fallacy of the "King Cotton" thesis.

• 1861- The “1861- The “TrentTrent Affair” Affair”• Union Navy violates neutral rights of British ship.Union Navy violates neutral rights of British ship.

• Battle of Antietam (September 1862) allows Battle of Antietam (September 1862) allows Lincoln to issue Emancipation ProclamationLincoln to issue Emancipation Proclamation

Three Naval TheatersThree Naval Theaters1.1. Blue WaterBlue Water

– CSS AlabamaCSS Alabama

2.2. Atlantic and Gulf Atlantic and Gulf CoastsCoasts

– Port RoyalPort Royal– Hampton RoadsHampton Roads– Fort FisherFort Fisher

3.3. Great Inland RiversGreat Inland Rivers– VicksburgVicksburg– Mobile BayMobile Bay

Confederate Commerce RaidersConfederate Commerce Raiders

• Highly successful in the Highly successful in the disruption of Union maritime disruption of Union maritime commerce.commerce.

• Captain Raphael SemmesCaptain Raphael Semmes

– CSS CSS SumterSumter

– CSS CSS AlabamaAlabama

• Captures 68 Union Captures 68 Union vessels.vessels.

• Sunk at Cherbourg, Sunk at Cherbourg, France in duel with USS France in duel with USS KearsargeKearsarge..

Confederate Commerce RaidersConfederate Commerce Raiders

The Union BlockadeThe Union Blockade

• Union blockade of the Union blockade of the Confederacy:Confederacy:– ““Paper Blockade” needs to Paper Blockade” needs to

become real as soon as become real as soon as possible…possible…

– 42 ships and 7,600 men to 42 ships and 7,600 men to blockage a 3500 mile coastline…blockage a 3500 mile coastline…

– Forward bases required Forward bases required for an effective blockade.for an effective blockade.

– Amphibious operations launched Amphibious operations launched to seize bases in the South.to seize bases in the South.

Battle of Port RoyalBattle of Port Royal• Attempt to establish first Union base on Confederate Attempt to establish first Union base on Confederate

territory at Port Royal Sound -- 7 November 1861.territory at Port Royal Sound -- 7 November 1861.– Hilton Head Island, South CarolinaHilton Head Island, South Carolina

• Commodore Stephen F. DuPontCommodore Stephen F. DuPont– Commands Union fleet- 11 Warships & 13K troops Commands Union fleet- 11 Warships & 13K troops

• Superior naval gunfire:Superior naval gunfire:– Directed against Confederate forts defending the Sound.Directed against Confederate forts defending the Sound.– Confederates abandon forts- out gunned 5:1Confederates abandon forts- out gunned 5:1

• Union soldiers and Marines land unopposed.Union soldiers and Marines land unopposed.• Other Union amphibious operations will resemble Port Other Union amphibious operations will resemble Port

Royal operation.Royal operation.

Battle of Hampton RoadsBattle of Hampton Roads8 March 18628 March 1862

• First engagement between “ironclad” ships. First engagement between “ironclad” ships. • CSS CSS VirginiaVirginia

– USS USS MerrimackMerrimack raised at Norfolk. raised at Norfolk.– Iron armor and ram added by Confederate Navy.Iron armor and ram added by Confederate Navy.– Renamed Renamed VirginiaVirginia and commanded by Franklin Buchanan. and commanded by Franklin Buchanan.– Defeats conventional Union ships on 8 March 1862.Defeats conventional Union ships on 8 March 1862.

• USS USS Monitor Monitor moved to Norfolk area to engagemoved to Norfolk area to engage Virginia. Virginia.– Designed by John Ericcson.Designed by John Ericcson.

• Highly armored with low freeboard.Highly armored with low freeboard.• Single turret mounting two Dahlgren guns.Single turret mounting two Dahlgren guns.

• Tactical draw but a strategic Union victory - Confederate Navy Tactical draw but a strategic Union victory - Confederate Navy unable to break the blockade of Norfolk.unable to break the blockade of Norfolk.

Battle of Hampton RoadsBattle of Hampton Roads

Fort Fisher ExpeditionsFort Fisher Expeditions• Defends the only remaining supply line through Defends the only remaining supply line through

Wilmington, North Carolina for General Lee’s Wilmington, North Carolina for General Lee’s Army of Northern VirginiaArmy of Northern Virginia

• Highly-defended by Confederate guns.Highly-defended by Confederate guns.• Combined Union Army-Navy operation.Combined Union Army-Navy operation.

– Union fleet commanded by David Dixon Porter.Union fleet commanded by David Dixon Porter.

• First assault fails – 7-27 December 1864.First assault fails – 7-27 December 1864.• Second Assault – 15 January 1865Second Assault – 15 January 1865

– Sailors and Marines attack the fort with Army forces.Sailors and Marines attack the fort with Army forces.

• Only successful amphibious assault against a Only successful amphibious assault against a heavily defended fort.heavily defended fort.– Heavy, constant, targeted naval gunfire necessary for Heavy, constant, targeted naval gunfire necessary for

success.success.

Inland River CampaignsInland River Campaigns• Combined Union Army - Navy offensives.Combined Union Army - Navy offensives.

– Goal: Control of the Mississippi River.Goal: Control of the Mississippi River.• Navy gunboats and transports used to support Army.Navy gunboats and transports used to support Army.

– Union forces advance down Tennessee and Cumberland Union forces advance down Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers to the Mississippi.Rivers to the Mississippi.

• Battle of New OrleansBattle of New Orleans– David Dixon Porter -- Uses “mortar boats” to neutralize forts.David Dixon Porter -- Uses “mortar boats” to neutralize forts.– David Glasgow Farragut commands Union assault.David Glasgow Farragut commands Union assault.

• Siege of VicksburgSiege of Vicksburg– General Ulysses S. Grant in command.General Ulysses S. Grant in command.– David Dixon Porter runs the Vicksburg batteries.David Dixon Porter runs the Vicksburg batteries.

Inland River VesselsInland River Vessels

USS Conestoga (1861-1864), a converted gunboat that served on the Mississippi River. Photographed on the Western Rivers during the Civil War.

• 19 May 1863 – 4 July 186319 May 1863 – 4 July 1863• Vicksburg the big obstacle to Vicksburg the big obstacle to

dominance of the Mississippidominance of the Mississippi• Porter ferried Grant’s troops Porter ferried Grant’s troops

across to the east bank of across to the east bank of the river, south of the fortthe river, south of the fort

• Grant takes the fort Grant takes the fort • Naval support: gunfire, troop Naval support: gunfire, troop

transport, and logistical transport, and logistical reinforcementreinforcement

• Lincoln: “The key to victory.”Lincoln: “The key to victory.”

Siege of VicksburgSiege of Vicksburg

Battle of VicksburgBattle of Vicksburg19 May – 4 July 1863 19 May – 4 July 1863

Battle of Mobile BayBattle of Mobile Bay5 Aug 18645 Aug 1864

• Union fleet commanded Union fleet commanded by David Glasgow by David Glasgow Farragut.Farragut.

• Entrance to Mobile Bay Entrance to Mobile Bay heavily defended by heavily defended by torpedoes.torpedoes.

• BrooklynBrooklyn’s captain stops ’s captain stops and blocks the channel.and blocks the channel.

““Damn the torpedoes, Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”full speed ahead!”

Civil War Naval Technological Civil War Naval Technological InnovationsInnovations

• North — North — Monitor Monitor ClassClass– Combination of steam, screw, armor, and a gun turret.Combination of steam, screw, armor, and a gun turret.– Large numbers built.Large numbers built.– ““Dahlgren Guns” effective at close range.Dahlgren Guns” effective at close range.– Gives Union Navy the advantage on coastal and inland Gives Union Navy the advantage on coastal and inland

waterways.waterways.

• SouthSouth– CSSCSS Virginia Virginia -- Steam power and iron armor. -- Steam power and iron armor.– CSS CSS Hunley Hunley - submarine.- submarine.– ““Torpedoes”Torpedoes”– ““Laird” rams.Laird” rams.

ConclusionsConclusions

• Lee surrendered to Grant at the Lee surrendered to Grant at the Appomattox Court House on 9 Apr 1865.Appomattox Court House on 9 Apr 1865.

• North successfully applied offensive North successfully applied offensive naval warfare.naval warfare.

• South failed to use commerce raiding to South failed to use commerce raiding to win the war at sea. win the war at sea.

• Joint Navy-Army Operations reach an Joint Navy-Army Operations reach an unprecedented level of high efficiency on unprecedented level of high efficiency on the Mississippi River.the Mississippi River.

Battle History VideoBattle History Video

• Chapter 1 "Born Into Chapter 1 "Born Into War", Time 12:52 - War", Time 12:52 - 21:4921:49

Enabling ObjectivesEnabling Objectives

• IDENTIFY the origins of the U.S. Civil War.IDENTIFY the origins of the U.S. Civil War.• DESCRIBE the role of the Union Navy in the DESCRIBE the role of the Union Navy in the

strategy for the defeat of the Confederacy.strategy for the defeat of the Confederacy.• DESCRIBE the role of the Confederate Navy in DESCRIBE the role of the Confederate Navy in

the strategy for the defeat of the Union.the strategy for the defeat of the Union.• UNDERSTAND reasons for the vital importance of UNDERSTAND reasons for the vital importance of

the acquisition of European allies in the South’s the acquisition of European allies in the South’s naval strategy.naval strategy.

• UNDERSTAND innovations of naval weapons and UNDERSTAND innovations of naval weapons and technology that emerged during the Civil War.technology that emerged during the Civil War.

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

Next Time:Developments of Naval Technology and Next Time:Developments of Naval Technology and their Impact on Strategytheir Impact on Strategy